News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | February 17, 2026
Local News
Search continues for missing Washington D.C. infant in Charles City County landfill
Charles City County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the search for a missing Washington D.C. baby. In a statement released by the sheriff’s office, the office confirmed they were working with Washington D.C. Metro Police in searching the Waste Management Landfill on Chambers Road. According to reports, two-month-old Kyon Jones was last seen on Wednesday, May 5 and reported missing on May 7. “At this time, the child has not been located,” said Charles City County Sheriff’s Office in a statement. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a press conference that investigators are speaking with the child’s mother…
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Former, influential New Kent School Board member Gail Hardinge succumbs
Former New Kent District 5 School Board representative Dr. Gail Hardinge has passed away. The announcement came Monday afternoon through several social media posts and later confirmed by District 3 representative and New Kent School Board chairwoman Andrea Staskiel. Hardinge dedicated more than 37 years to education. She served 18 years on New Kent County’s School Board before stepping down due to her ongoing battle with ALS (Amyotrophis Lateral Sclerosis/Lou Gehrig’s disease). “I have been battling with ALS and it has been very progressive,” she said in an April 12 letter to the county’s school board on her resignation. “I…
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Hochman hired as assistant superintendent of operations for New Kent County Schools
Jonathan Hochman has been hired as the Assistant Superintendent of Operations for New Kent County Public Schools beginning July 1. Hochman joins the school system with 24 years of educational experience. He has spent the past 15 years as a principal, assistant principal, teacher, and coach. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and his Master’s in Administration and Supervision from George Washington University. “My family and I are so excited to join the New Kent County team,” he said in a press release. “I look forward to continuing the great work that is going on in our…
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Charles City felon receives seven months in jail for illegally possessing firearm
A Charles City man will spend the next seven months in jail for illegally possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony. Michael Lee Wallace Jr., 48, of the 11000 block of Canora Lane, learned his sentence during Tuesday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. On Mar. 2, Wallace accepted a plea deal to an amended charge of possession of a firearm by a nonviolent felon (originally possession of a firearm by a convicted felon) at his trial. During that trial, it was determined on Dec. 10, 2019, Wallace was approached by New Kent investigators looking for a…
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Alleged Adkins Store robber indicted by Charles City grand jury
A man who allegedly robbed Adkins Store on multiple occasions in Charles City has been indicted by a Charles City grand jury. Michael Robert Deremer II, 30, of the 7400 block of Lewis Tyler Lane, Charles City, received a total of three indictments of breaking and entering, and three indictments of petty larceny (third or subsequent offense). On Dec. 28, 2020, a report of an overnight robbery of Adkins Store was reported to Charles City County’s Sheriff’s Office. A month later, on Jan. 19, 2021, a second robbery had taken place at the store. A detective working the case surveyed…
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North Chesterfield man enters guilty plea in connection to drug distribution charge in New Kent
A North Chesterfield man has entered a guilty plea to distribution of a Schedule I/II (third offense) as part of a plea agreement reached Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. Eric Marvin Laney, 44, of the 99 block of Jean Road, entered into the agreement that saw two charges of the same offense dropped. Laney was also previously charged with second-degree murder in the death of Samantha Nicole Rigdon, but that charge was dropped on Feb. 8. As part of the plea deal, the murder charge and two counts of distribution of a Schedule I/II drug will not be…
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Quinton man dies in automobile accident near Bottoms Bridge
A Quinton man has died as the result of a Friday afternoon accident in New Kent County. Devin W. Samuels, 21, succumbed to his injuries according to a Virginia State Police press release. A preliminary investigation reveals that around 2:43 p.m., Virginia State Police responded to a crash at the 2900 block of Pocahontas Trail (Route 60) eastbound. The investigation reveals that a 2006 Ford Escape was changing from the right lane to the left lane when it struck a 2004 Chevrolet pickup that had slowed down, resulting in the Escape overturning. Samuels, the drive and sole occupant of the…
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Optic network plan for Internet services presented to New Kent Board of Supervisors
New Kent’s Board of Supervisors received their first look at what it would take to bring Internet services to the county. Wednesday morning’s work session began with RiverStreet Networks representative Robert Taylor providing an update from the organizations study of developing a fiber optic network design and plan. In November 2020, county leaders appropriated $79,995 for the study. Taylor’s dialogue centered around areas being purchased by several companies who plan to get into fiber optic services and Internet services. According to the RiverStreet representative, approximately 628 miles of fiber optics could be run in New Kent County, providing the ability…
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Conflicting stories result in not guilty verdict for Providence Forge man
A Providence Forge man that was charged with a single count of malicious wounding stemming from an alleged 2019 incident has been found not guilty. Matthew Clifford Deskins, 40, of the 5800 block of Flowering Peach Lane, had the charge dismissed after a questionable motive of the allegation was presented by his defense team during Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In the contested trial, prosecuting attorneys said that on Aug. 24, 2019, Jacqueline Hollis (formerly Waltman) said that Deskins was scheduled to have a blood transfusion. At the time, Hollis and Deskins were in a relationship and…
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Charles City’s proposed budget for FY2021-22 nears $18 million; no tax increase recommended
A near $18 million local budget was part of Charles City County Administrator’s Michelle Johnson’s proposed budget for the FY2021-22 fiscal year. Johnson proposed an amount of $17,926,145 for operations in the county for the new cycle. That figure does not include money from the state or federal governments. There is no proposed tax increase for next year as the rate is set to remain at 76 centers per $100 of assessed value. Johnson’s presentation covered areas that included continuing support for the county’s Fire and EMS services. The budget for those services increased to $1,400,107 for the next fiscal…
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